First Ladies All Ears At Girl's Story Of Drugs

April 25, 1985|By Anne Groer, Sentinel Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — As Nancy Reagan and 17 other first ladies from around the world listened intently Wednesday, Robin Page matter-of-factly recounted her life as a young abuser of marijuana, alcohol and amphetamines.

Midway through her tale of transformation from a 12-year-old A student to a 14-year-old overdose patient, Page broke down and wept as she recalled her mother sitting on her hospital bed and praying for her life.

''I kept thinking, 'Dear God, if I you just don't let me wake up I can't see her face again,' because I was so sick of the disappointment every time that she looked at me.''

Now 16 and off drugs for the past two years, the Cincinnati girl told her distinguished audience in the White House East Room that she wants to go to college and become a stockbroker.

Although many of the first ladies heard Page's story via interpreters speaking Japanese, Spanish, German, French and Italian, all were moved to applaud the teen-ager who was clearly the star of the opening session of a two-day international drug conference sponsored by Mrs. Reagan.

Page was one of nine speakers at the conference, which is aimed at mobilizing these influential women into tackling the global narcotics epidemic.

Several U.S. drug experts discussed problems in this country, and officials of civic and parent groups discussed how they mobilized to cure or prevent their children's drug dependence.

Today the first ladies will fly to Atlanta to hear medical experts talk about the adverse effects of marijuana and watch a film on cocaine production. But the conference is not just an attempt to involve the wives of world leaders. It also allows Mrs. Reagan to overcome whatever remains of her early image as a wealthy fashion plate more concerned with White House china than social problems.

''The presence of 18 first ladies from around the globe says clearly that drugs are a threat to our children no matter where they live,'' Mrs. Reagan told her counterparts.

''Even if nothing else were to be accomplished today and tomorrow, your attendance has sent a message to people everywhere -- drugs are maiming our children.''